Paphiopedilum victoria-regina  Paphiopedilum victoria-regina is a tropical ladyslipper orchid native to the island of Sumatra. It inhabits pockets in limestone cliff faces near streams and water seepages where humus and leaf detritus collect. Though hundreds of Paphiopedilum hybrids have been developed by orchid growers, there are only about sixty species of this genus, all occurring in southeast Asia and on southwest Pacific islands. Because many Paphiopedilum populations are threatened by logging, agriculture, development, mining, and illegal collection of wild plants, this genus has been included on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits its international trade for commercial purposes. |
